George f



(No Model.) G. P. RAP-P. I SHOE.

\ 1 No. 436,544. Patented Sept. .16, 1890.

fui wams rusas cu.. saro-uwe., unaware, c. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. RAPP, OF ST. LOUIS., MISSOURI.

SHOE.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 436,544, dated September 16, 1890.

Application iled April, 1890. Serial No. 346,711. (No model.) y

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. RAPP, of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elastic Tongues for Lace-Shoes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings', forming a part hereof.

My invent-ion appertains to an improvement in elastic shoe-tongues for. lace=shoes; and it consists in certain novel features in the construction thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

'In the drawings, Figure l is an under side view of my improved tongue as applied to the upper of alace-shoe. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my invention as applied to the shoe. Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken online a: :c of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 isa front elevation of the tongue partly broken away.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the shoe-upper of an ordinary lace-shoe to, which my tongue can be readily attached.

2 is the tongue'having an elongated opening 3 over which the elastic gore is'sewed.

5 5 represent two lips formed by cutting the tongue a short distance horizontally from the edges of the elongated opening 3, as shown. The elastic gore is placed between the under surface of said lips 5 5 and the face of the tongue, the said gore being stitched to the tongue in this position. By this means the elastic gore is securely fastened tothe tongue, and at the same time presents a neat and attractive appearance. The tongue is stitched to both edges of the lupper at its lower end and extends upwardly for about one-half its length, the stitches terminating at about this pointand being run laterally in V- shaped design, as indicated at 6, to prevent ripping, dto. tongue to the upper, as shown, the same is always held in position, and, furthermore, all dirt and water will be effectually excluded from the shoe. v

It is further to be noted that the shoe may be unlaced at any time, but Will still hug the foot of the wearerj ust closely enough to make a good appearance, feeling as easy as a slipper, yet not being too loose on the foot.

I am aware that prior to my invention variousA parts of a shoe have been provided with elastic gores to act as a protection for the foot, also that elastic iiaps have been used in connection with button-shoes; but

' What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As an improved article of manufacture, the hereinbefore-described lace-shoe having a tongue fastened or secured to both edges of the upper at a sufficient distance from the edge thereof to permit lacing, the said tongue having an elongated opening therein, lips at one end of. thesaid opening formed by cut-` ting the tongue, and an elastic gore, having projections upon its sides, sewed upon the lower surface of the saidtongue and above the said lips, the said .elastic gore covering the elongated opening, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. RAPP.

Vitnesses:

C. F. KEELER, JNO. C. HIGDON.

By thus attaching' the 

